The Washington County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Wednesday, May 20 with all members present. The minutes of previous meetings, payroll and all claims were approved unanimously.
Board President Lana Sullivan announced that she has been in contact with representatives of the Indiana Department of Transportation in regards to the current status of land acquisition for the truck bypass east of Salem. According to Sullivan all properties except for four parcels of land (totaling approximately 26 acres) have been acquired. The price for those four parcels will be determined by litigation. Currently, the cost of land acquisition is near $2.3 million, not including the four unresolved parcels. When the project began, it was estimated that Washington County's share of the cost to acquire the right of ways would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $350,000. However, it now appears that the cost will rise to an amount in excess of $500,000. The Commissioners agreed that some difficult decisions will have to be made in order to make up the expected increase in cost.
In other business, the Commissioners approved a request from Washington County Chamber of Commerce President Hank Jacoby for $10,000 from the Economic Development Income Tax Fund (EDIT) to make up for an expected shortfall in operating revenue in 2009. Jacoby told the Commissioners that it is his and his board's intent for the organization to become self-sufficient by the end of the year. Jacoby said that part of the strategy to achieve that goal is to double the membership from the current 185; according to Jacoby there are some 1300 businesses in the county that could and should be members. Jacoby pointed to two specific financial problems facing the Chamber from a previous administration: the necessity to refund $4600 related to a defunct historical book project and a withholding tax liability in excess of $8100.
In a related topic, Commissioner David Brown asked Jacoby for an update on efforts by the Chamber, the Tourism Board and the Washington County Economic Growth Partnership in formulating an economic development plan for use of the 25% of EDIT monies earmarked for non-roadwork projects. Jacoby said that the three organizations have met and discussed the issue but nothing is ready to be presented at this time. Clearly disappointed, Brown said that he would think that two months should be enough time for the three organizations to come up with at least a general plan for how to use the money.
The Commissioners also dealt with the following items:
- Unanimous approval of a motion to enter into contract with a company to do an audit of telecommunications billings in hopes of realizing savings.
- Unanimous approval to pay invoices related to the Posey Township Water Project from grant funds earmarked for that project.
- Appointment of John Mishler as a member of the Board of Directors for Critical Assess Health Services.
- Discussion of a request by Washington County Treasurer Bob Woodward to initiate a mandatory automatic deposit program for the paychecks of all county employees.
- Request from members of the Livonia Town Board for any available funding to help pave streets in the town.
- Update on road paving progress from Highway Superintendent Rick Graves.
- Update on fairground improvements by Brown.

With no further business to conduct, the Commissioners adjourned until their next regularly schedule meeting on Wednesday, June 3

Last Updated on Thursday, 28 May 2009 08:46

East Washington School Board accepts resignation of High School Band Director

Written by Administrator

Thursday, 28 May 2009 00:00

Superintendent Amick recommended that the Board accept Adam Miller's resignation as High School Band Director effective at the end of 2008-09 school year, also the resignation of Jessica Hickerson as High School Business/Tech Teacher at the recent East Washington School Board meeting.
Members of the public expressed their feelings in regards to the resignation of Miller, citing positive support for the former Band Director.
The board accepted a resolution recognizing High School Athletic Director Scott Newcomb for being selected as District 5 Athletic Director of the Year.
The school board was presented a Contingency/Preparedness Plan from Patrick Rose and Jennifer Love-Tillotson of the Indiana Department of Health.
The board also approved the following personnel recommendations: Ryan Osborn as High School/Tech teacher; Clinton Blankenbaker as third grade elementary teacher; Rosa Snapp as Preschool/Title 1 Interventionist teacher; Travis Daily as summer school English teacher; Jacob Johanningsmeier; Jim Lewis as summer school PE teacher, Robert Bennett, Mike McBride , Eric Robertson, Tom Cullen and Buff Gardner as Driver's Education instructors; medical leave of absence of Sharon McElroy's from May 7 through end of school year; verbal resignation of Kenny Speigelhalder' as bus driver and recommend Cheryl Hogan to fill Speigelhalder position; Kelley Lee and Deanna Shofner as cheerleading and pep club co-coaches and Lisa Roberts as JV volleyball coach.

You too can help spay and neuter pets just by using your Washington County Humane Society Kroger card. From the start of the program to December 2008 the Humane Society received $1,780, from the use of the cards, so far this year they have received $600. By using your Humane Society Kroger Card, Kroger gives four percent of total money spent to the Humane Society. The money received from the Kroger cards are used for the spay/neuter program through the Washington County Humane Society. Washington County is fortunate to have this program available to our community, may Societies have had to stop their program altogether due to lack of funds.
“Although we are not offering total assistance in the spay/neuter program, as we have done in the past, we are paying $50 for female dogs, $30 for male dogs, $25 for female cats and $15 for male cats.” We are also looking for grants to help supplement the cost of the program. We are allowing more time for people to use their spay/neuter voucher. The vouchers that are being distributed now, have until August 15 to use, that is double what we used to allow.” stated Glenda

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 12:41

Armed Forces Night set for Friday, May 15 at Speedway

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 13 May 2009 00:00

Friday night racing makes a return to Salem Speedway on May 15, as Armed Forces Night, presented by McDonald’s, takes center stage. This special end-of-work-week program features the Lucas Oil Super Stocks and Dave & Deb’s Winner’s Circle Street Stocks, plus the inaugural Salem race for the exciting Thunder Roadsters.
The evening of racing action also includes many fun-filled activities, including Exhibition Drags, Burnout Contest, special family pricing, prize giveaways and more.
Free admission to Armed Forces Night is being offered to all active and reserve U.S. Military Personnel with a valid military ID.
“This is our way of saying thank you to all of our brave men and women currently serving in the armed forces,” said Salem Speedway general manager Richard Deaton.